Banana Split

The Banana Split is a powerful submission and control technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that targets the opponent’s groin, hamstring, and hip flexibility. It is classified as a spinal lock or splitting technique and is often associated with the Twister system of attacks. The move involves isolating one of the opponent's legs, controlling their upper body, and stretching their legs apart in a way that creates intense pressure and pain.

Key Characteristics

Type

Primary Target

  • Hamstring, groin, and hip flexibility

Position

Steps to Perform the Banana Split

Establish Control

  • Secure a dominant position such as Back Control or Turtle Control.
  • Control one of the opponent’s legs by gripping their ankle, hooking it with your arm, or trapping it with your legs.

Isolate the Leg

  • Pull the trapped leg toward you and secure it firmly.
  • Use your arm or legs to keep the opponent’s leg isolated and unable to escape.

Control the Upper Body

  • Prevent the opponent from turning into you by controlling their upper body.
  • This can involve a Crossface, grip on their hip, or pressure to keep them in place.

Stretch the Opponent’s Legs

  • With their leg trapped, use your legs and arms to pull their trapped leg in one direction.
  • Simultaneously, apply pressure to the opponent’s hips or spine by controlling their torso or holding their far leg.

Apply Pressure and Finish

  • Stretch their legs apart by pulling the trapped leg and applying counter-pressure to their upper body or other leg.
  • The submission occurs as the groin, hamstring, and hip flexibility are overstretched, causing discomfort and forcing the opponent to tap.

Common Entries to the Banana Split

From Back Control

  • Trap one of the opponent’s legs using your legs and transition into the split while controlling their hips.

From Turtle Guard

  • As the opponent turtles, grab one of their legs and secure their upper body while pulling them into the split.

From Top Position

  • Pass the guard or isolate one leg during a scramble, then transition into the Banana Split.

Key Concepts for Success

Leg Isolation

  • Ensure one of the opponent’s legs is securely controlled to prevent them from escaping.

Body Control

  • Use tight Connections to keep the opponent immobilized while applying the submission.

Gradual Pressure

  • Apply pressure steadily to avoid slipping out of position or losing control.

Common Mistakes

Insufficient Leg Control

  • If the opponent’s leg is not properly secured, they can turn into you or escape the position.

Forcing the Submission

  • Rushing the submission can lead to losing control or injuring the opponent unintentionally.

Ignoring the Upper Body

  • Without controlling the opponent’s upper body, they can twist out or reduce the pressure of the split.

Safety Note

The Banana Split can cause significant discomfort or injury if applied recklessly. Always apply pressure gradually and release immediately if your opponent taps to avoid hyperextending their hamstrings or damaging their groin or hips.

Strategy

The Banana Split is an excellent addition to Back Control or Turtle Control attacks. It works well as a submission or as a setup to transition into other attacks like the Twister or dominant positional control.

Tip

The Banana Split is most effective when you combine it with tight positional control and smooth transitions. Use it to keep your opponent defensive and create submission opportunities!

Positioning

The Banana Split can be executed from various positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) where the opponent’s leg can be isolated and their movement controlled. Below are some key positions from which the Banana Split can be set up:

Back Control

Scenario

  • While you have Back Control, trap one of the opponent’s legs using your legs (like in a Twister hook).

Execution

  • Transition from the standard seatbelt grip to isolating one leg and controlling the upper body, then apply the split by stretching their legs apart.

Common Setup

  • Transition from Back Control when the opponent defends Hooks, leaving one leg vulnerable to isolation.

Turtle Control

Scenario

  • When the opponent turtles to defend against passing or attacks.

Execution Hook one of their legs with your arm or leg, then roll or pull them onto their side while isolating the leg and controlling their upper body.

Common Setup

  • As the opponent defends or tries to roll out, grab their near leg and transition into the Banana Split.

Top Half Guard

Scenario

Execution

  • Isolate the opponent's bottom leg by hooking or trapping it, then work your way around their guard to apply the Banana Split.

Common Setup

  • Use a Smash Pass to flatten their guard and transition into isolating the leg.

From the Truck Position

Scenario

  • The Truck Control is a control position where you have one of the opponent’s legs trapped between your legs and their hips controlled.

Execution

  • From the Truck Control, you can transition to a Banana Split by isolating the opponent’s trapped leg and pulling it while maintaining control of their upper body.

Common Setup

  • Often occurs as part of a Twister attack system when the opponent tries to defend.

From a Scramble

Scenario

  • During transitions or when the opponent is attempting to recover Guard or escape.

Execution

  • Catch one of their legs as they move and transition into control of their hips and upper body before applying the Banana Split.

Common Setup

  • Happens in dynamic exchanges when the opponent’s positioning leaves a leg vulnerable.

From Top Side Control

Scenario

  • After passing guard and controlling the opponent’s hips.

Execution

  • Transition to isolate one of their legs while keeping their hips and upper body immobilized, then apply the split.

Common Setup

  • Secure tight control over the opponent’s lower body during a scramble from Side Control.

Top Mount or S-Mount

Scenario

  • When in Mount or S-Mount, and the opponent exposes their leg to defend or escape.

Execution Hook or trap one of their legs and transition to stretching their legs apart.

Common Setup

  • Happens when the opponent bridges or shrimps aggressively, exposing a leg.

Guard Passing

Scenario

Execution

  • Catch and isolate one leg during the pass and use the positional advantage to transition to the Banana Split.

Common Setup

Bottom Turtle (Counterattack)

Scenario

  • If you are turtled and the opponent is attacking from Turtle Control.

Execution

  • Catch one of their legs during their attack, roll them over, and secure control of their leg and hips.

Common Setup

  • Use their forward pressure against them by hooking a leg and transitioning into control.

Key Factors Across Positions

Leg Isolation

  • The ability to isolate one of the opponent’s legs is crucial for executing the Banana Split.

Hip Control

  • Controlling the opponent’s hips ensures they cannot counter or escape.

Upper Body Control

  • Securing control of their torso or head prevents them from defending effectively.
Tip

The Truck Position is one of the most popular setups for the Banana Split, but understanding how to apply it dynamically from other positions, like Back Control or scrambles, can significantly expand your submission arsenal!

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